The Dunston Blade by John Daines

quickly as possible.”
    With that John was dismissed. On the way back to the stables he was filled with anger at the way the Earl had treated him over Tania, what did he think he
    was going to do to his precious daughter. Reaching the Bailey John called out for Sam and told him to select a suitable horse and also to prepare Anvil
    while he would deal with the Earl’s mount.
    Early next morning all was made ready for the journey, John kept an eye on the main door to see if Tania appeared. He was occupied adjusting Anvil’s girth
    when a gentle voice said, “Don't squeeze him too much.” And a smiling Tania stood there. John looked at her.
    “I shall not see you for a while, don’t forget me,” he said.
    Tania smiled. “We will not be parted for long as I have asked father if I can come to London, I would like to meet some of the dressmakers.”
    “But how will you travel, who will guard you?” said a worried John.
    “We have plenty of men at arms and when Carac returns he can escort me,” explained Tania.
    Although John was concerned he was also happy that he would see Tania in London, at that moment Gavin joined them.
    “I will look after her while you are away,” grinned Gavin and John looked at him grimly.
    “Don’t worry I am courting the Mayors daughter in Wymondham,” said Gavin.
    “She never told me,” said Tania.
    Gavin explained he had only just asked her father for permission to court her. John seemed satisfied and smiled as Sir Cedric joined them. The cavalcade
    was soon in motion with the Earl, John, and fifty mounted men. Tania went up onto the battlements to wave and John nearly fell off his horse by twisting
    round to wave back, Anvil snorted as though to say watch what you are doing. They stayed at various friends of Sir Cedric on the way to London, as they
    neared the great city the roads became busier and this slowed their large group. Sir Cedric decided to circle round London to reach his property on the
    banks of the River Thames west of the city centre. When they came to his ‘small’ house. John was confronted by a palatial building standing in extensive
    grounds that reached down to the river bank. The men at arms retired to a barracks in the grounds. John and Sam stabled their own, and Sir Cedric’s mounts
    and walked to the main house. They were met at the door by the Steward, a tall well dressed man.
    “Good day sir, may I show you to your room, if you should need anything during your stay please call me, my name is Merek.” With that he turned and led
    them upstairs to a pleasant room looking out to the river. After John had changed from his travelling clothes and Sam had gone to find other Pages, he went
    down to the first floor. Looking in at each door John found a great hall, two well furnished drawing rooms, and coming to a closed door he knocked, was bid
    to enter and found Sir Cedric relaxing in a huge chair.
    “Come in John, what do you think of my house?”
    “It’s very grand sir, I have never seen so many rooms in a house, it’s more like the castle.”
    “Well, here in London we have to show we are important and powerful, it’s all a game really but at the moment I must play it,” replied the Earl. “Tomorrow
    I go to Westminster and see how the King fares and present myself to the Queen. You will accompany me.”
    John walked in the grounds down to the river and stood watching the fast flowing water rush down to the sea. He was nervous about tomorrow and could not
    see why, he felt there would be a happening that would not go well for him.
    It was a chilly morning as John, dressed in his best doublet and hose with a new cloak. He walked with Sir Cedric and a tall man, dressed in sombre black,
    to the jetty at the end of the garden. They boarded a boat and were rowed down the river to Westminster. On the way the Earl introduced his friend as Henri
    Hausman from Bruges. They landed at Westminster and were escorted to the palace where they were led to an